Ruth Ellen Bowman, 64
Ruth Ellen Bowman, 64, born in Fort Wayne Jan. 2, 1939, a daughter of William and Garnett Newhard Sorg, who are deceased, as is a sister. Surviving are her husband, Kenneth L.; two daughters, Rosemary Shipman of Fort Wayne and Robin Bowman of Chicago; three sons, John K. of Peachtree City, Ga., and Joseph C. and James W., both of Indianapolis; two sisters, Anna Catherine Smith and Cheryl White, both of Yoder; two brothers, William J. Sorg Jr. of Yoder and Peter C. Sorg of Fort Wayne; and seven grandchildren. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 14623 Bluffton Rd., and burial will be in the church cemetery. Calling hours at Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Home for Funerals, 6810 Old Trail Rd., Fort Wayne, will be Wednesday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Rosary will be recited at the funeral chapel at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and a prayer service will be held at 10:15 a.m. Thursday prior to going to the church. Memorials to Parkview Hospice or to the church’s building fund.

Margaret Boyd Sabatini, 87
Mother of Mrs. Jeff (Nancy) Hewitt, clerk-treasurer of Bluffton, Margaret Boyd Sabatini, 87, Cemetery in Huntsville with Rev. Edward C. Gartrell and Rev. Randall T. Jenkins officiating. Visitation hours are today from 6 to 8 p.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home in Huntsville.

Fred Locke, 83
Funeral services for Fred Locke, 83, of Muncie will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Downing & Glancy Funeral Home in Geneva. Visitation hours at the funeral chapel are today from 6 to 8 p.m. Mr. Locke born Sept. 20, 1919 at Winchester, Ky., a son of William F. and Nellie E. Chapman Locke. He attended Bluffton High School. His marriage in Adams County on Aug. 19, 1939 was to Majesta Faye Baumgartner, who survives. Additional survivors are a daughter, Diane Faye Christy of Cleveland, Ohio; a son, Jerry Locke of Evansville; and a granddaughter. Rev. Daniel Perry will officiate at services and burial will be in the MRE Cemetery at Berne.

Feb. 5, 2003

Jack A. Thornburgh, 75
Funeral services for Jack A. Thornburgh, 75, of Keystone, will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday at Glancy Funeral Homes, Walker Chapel, in Montpelier. Visitation hours at the funeral chapel will be Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday before the services. Mr. Thornburgh born in Grant County Feb. 6, 1927, a son of Arthur Douglas and Emma M. Steinhilber Thornburgh. His marriage at Hartford City on Nov. 11, 1948 was to Ruth E. Wilson, who died Monday, Feb. 3, at his residence in Fort Wayne. Mr. Carnes worked for Conrail for 40 years, retiring in 1981. He was a U.S. Army veteran during World War II. He was a member of Colony Heights Church of Christ in Fort Wayne and of American Legion Post 296. He was died at 6:55 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, at the Norwood Nursing Center in Huntington. Mrs. Lindeman worked in manufacturing for many years at General Electric in Fort Wayne, retiring in 1969. She was died in July 1984. Surviving are a son, Thomas E. Raver of Albion; a daughter, Mrs. James (Jean) McIlrath of Huntington; a stepson, Ralph “Bud” Lindeman of Fort Wayne; a sister, Annabelle Werling of New Haven; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. A granddaughter, a stepgrandson, four brothers, a sister and a half-brother are deceased. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the Myers Funeral Home Huntington Chapel with Dr. Sam Young officiating. Interment will be in Covington Memorial Gardens in Fort Wayne. Calling hours at the funeral chapel will be Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Feb. 6, 2003

Nellie Roush, 84
Nellie Roush, 84, who attended the McNatt Church in Wells County, born at Marion Nov. 20, 1918, a daughter of Jesse and Ethel Keltner Endsley. Her husband, Levart Roush, and two brothers are deceased. Surviving are five sons, James of Montpelier, Melvin of Marion, Ronald of Van Buren, and Philip and Richard, both of Hartford City; two brothers, Leroy and Lester Endsley; 12 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. Funeral services at 10:30 a.m. Friday will be at Ferguson Funeral Home in Van Buren with Rev. J. Wallace officiating. Burial will be in Lancaster Cemetery in Huntington County. Visitation hours are today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.

Albert H. Thompson, 67
A resident of Warren since 1957, Albert H. Thompson, 67, born in Ashland, Ky., June 16, 1935, and was a 1954 graduate of Ashland High School. His marriage at Olive Hill, Ky., on Aug. 10, 1957 was to Delores Ann Wilson, who survives. Surviving also are a daughter, Mrs. Lynn (Penny) Campbell of Warren; two brothers, Ron Robison of Louisville, Ky., and Dean Robison of Ossian; and five grandchildren. Deceased are his mother, Anna Lee Thompson, and a daughter, Gina Thorkelson. Services will be at Glancy Funeral Homes, H. Brown & Son Chapel, in Warren, at 12 noon Friday with Pastor Bill Keen officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery at Bluffton. Visitation will be at the funeral chapel Friday for two hours prior the service. Memorials to the American Heart Association Midwest Affiliate.

DeWayne C. Johnson, 87
DeWayne C. Johnson, 87, a resident of the Heritage of Huntington, born in Wren, Ohio, March 22, 1915, a son of Vallie Ray and Olive Clifton Johnson. A first marriage in Indianapolis in 1941 was to Roberta Street, who died April 15, 2001. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. John (Duayna) Kopiel of Rome, N.Y., Mrs. Jim (Carolyn) Sotherden of Oklawaha, Fla., and Mrs. Danny (Patricia) Carpenter of Huntington; two sons, Gary D. and Larry G. Johnson, both of Huntington; 17 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. Three brothers and three sisters are deceased. Services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Myers Funeral Home Huntington Chapel with Pastor Russell Buzzard officiating. Interment will be in the Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Huntington County. Visitation hours will be Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and for one hour Saturday prior to services. Memorials to Bethel United Methodist Church or to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Ruth Friend -- Rites Pending
Ruth Friend, formerly of Montpelier, died at 5 a.m. today, Feb. 6, at the Bluffton Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are in charge of Glancy Funeral Homes, H. Brown & Son Chapel, Warren.

Caroline Anne Young, 61
Caroline Anne Young, 61, long active in the Huntington and Wells County areas, born Oct. 24, 1941 at Huntington to Gerald P. and Geraldine Leimgruber Seifert. Her marriage on May 27, 1961 at Huntington was to James W. Young, who survives. Surviving additionally are two sons, Jeffry W. of Huntington and John W. of Roanoke; two daughters, Cathy A. Young of Grandville, Mich., and Cynthia A. Niswander of Huntington; two sisters, Patricia Thorn of Merrillville and Margaret Moore of Kokomo; and nine grandchildren. A sister Diane, is deceased. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Huntington with Father Gary Sigler officiating. A Rosary service was held with the family at a prior date. Visitation hours at Deal-Robbins & Van Gilder Funeral Home, Huntington Chapel, will be Friday from 2 to 8 p.m. Alpha Delta Chapter of Delta Theta Tau will conduct a memorial service at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials to Huntington Catholic School, or to St. Mary’s Church, or to Delta Theta Tau.

Feb. 1, 2003

Edna Pearl Taylor, 82
A native of Wells County, Edna Pearl Taylor, 82, Cemetery in Pennville. Preferred memorials are to the American Parkinson Disease Associatin.

Debra Ann Simpson, 39
Debra Ann Simpson, 39, of 1204 Echo Lane, Bluffton, born in Carmi, Ill., Sept. 4, 1963, to Donald and Joan Warren Turner. Her marriage at Ottumwa, Iowa, on Feb. 14, 1986 was to G. Timothy Simpson, who survives. Additional survivors are her father, Donald Turner, who resides in Norris City, Ill.; her mother and stepfather, Joan and Everett James of Carmi; four sons, Neil M. Simpson of U.S. Marine Base at Twenty-Nine Palms, Calif., and Wesley A. Simpson, Tanner B. Simpson and Logan A. Simpson, all of Bluffton; a brother and sister-in-law, Clyde W. and Janet Turner of Mt. Carmel, Ill., and the maternal grandparents, Frank and Leona Warren of Norris City, Ill. Services at 11 a.m. Monday will be at Life Community Church with Kent Ringger and Rick Fiechter as the officiants. Calling hours at Goodwin Memorial Chapel in Bluffton will be Sunday from 12 noon to 7 p.m. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Ebenezer IOOF Cemetery at Norris City, Ill. Memorials to the Wells County Unit of the American Cancer Society.

Lavon L. Shane, 88
Retired since 1987 after 37 1/2 years with Fruehauf Trailer Company where he was a load man, Lavon L. Shane, 88, formerly of 1332 West Cherry St., Bluffton, born Dec. 19, 1914, in Bluffton, to William and Ethel Grove Shane. His marriage was on Dec. 24, 1937 in Bluffton to Agnes Maddux, who survives. Also surviving are one son, Don Eugene Shane of Bluffton, one daughter, Mrs. Jack (Karen) Barcus of Bluffton, and five grandchildren. he was preceded in death by one son, William Thomas Shane, and four brothers, Alton Miller, Robert Miller, Herman Shane and Ernie Shane. Calling will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Thoma-Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Monday at the church. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Mulberry Street Wesleyan Church with Rev. Donald Hosier and Rev. Jim Englehart officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Preferred memorials to the Mulberry Street Wesleyan Church.

Feb. 3, 2003

Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Debels, 89
A native of Latvia, Elizabeth “Betty” Debels, 89, of Bluffton born April 19, 1913 in Riga, Lativa, a daughter of Nikolajs and Emilija Liepins Debelis. Her birth name was “Betija Debelis.” She was the last of her family. Miss Debels spent 10 years in a concentration camp during World War II. She came to America in 1951, first to Gettysburg, Ohio, and then to Bluffton through the Latvian Refugee Relocation Commission. She was one of the original residents of the Capri Apartments before entering the Meadowvale nursing facility. She was preceded in death by a brother, sister and a nephew. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Goodwin Memorial Chapel with Rev. Robert Heimach officiating. Burial will be in Six Mile Cemetery. Visitation time will be Wednesday for one hour prior to services. Memorials to Wells County Foundation, attention to the Animal Shelter Fund, Gideon’s International, or the Ray Petersime Chapel fund at Manchester College.

Daniel L. Pax, 50
A former farmer who worked later at Dunbar Furniture in Berne, Daniel L. Pax, 50, of Bluffton born in Coldwater, Ohio, Nov. 30, 1952 to Robert and Dorothy Timmerman Pax. His marriage on Sept. 20, 1975 at St. Peter, Ohio, was to Norma Jean Wellman, who survives. Additional survivors are the parents in St. Henry, Ohio; two sons, Gerald “Jerry” of Bluffton and Kevin of Kokomo; a daughter, Melissa Pax of Bluffton; three brothers, Fred of Denver, Colo., and Richard and Andrew, both of Fort Recovery, Ohio; and a sister, Mrs. David (Nancy) Brown of Redkey. A brother, Timothy, is deceased. Services at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday will be at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bluffton with Father Larry Kramer and Father Joseph Pax as the officiants. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery at Geneva. Calling hours at Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home in Berne will be Tuesday from 2 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 8 to 9 a.m. and at the church for one-half hour prior to services. A prayer vigil will be observed at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials to the family, to Chalet Village or to the American Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Helen M. Redding, 82
Helen M. Redding, 82, of rural Decatur, born in Adams County Feb. 9, 1920, a daughter of Ernest and Pearl Frauhiger Longenberger. Her marriage on April 23, 1941 was to Marvin P. Redding, who Cemetery at Ossian. Calling at the funeral home will be Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday until time of service. Memorials to the Salem United Church of Christ Ladies Aid or to the Adams County Heart Club.

Keith R. Reed, 89
Father of Mark Reed of Bluffton, Keith R. Reed, 89, a lifelong resident of Hagerstown, born at Hagerstown May 9, 1913, a son of Skaife and Effie Plessinger Reed. Surviving are his wife, Louise Reed; a daughter, Bonnie Weiler of Fort Wayne; two other sons, David and Kurt, both of Albuquerque, N.M.; a brother, Paul; a sister, Marge Murfin; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Culberson Funeral Home in Hagerstown with Pastor Herschel Murray officiating. Burial will be in West Lawn Cemetery. Visitation hours at the funeral home will be Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. with a Masonic memorial service at 7:30 p.m.

Burnetta Ann Buzzard, 77
A former secretary, Burnetta Ann “Blondie” Buzzard, 77, born at Andrews June 1, 1925 to Frank and Dorothy Aldridge Huston. Her marriage to Dale Eugene Buzzard, who survives, took place at Warren on Jan. 19, 1945. Surviving, in addition to her husband, are three daughters, Kathy Buzzard of Warren, Mrs. Gregg (Konnie) Stevenson of Danville and Mrs. Jim (Doris) Croy of Kendallville; two sons, Charlie and Robert Buzzard, both of Warren; two brothers, Marvin Huston of Huntington and Alvin Huston of Apache Junction, Ariz.; 15 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. A son, Donald, three brothers and three sisters are deceased. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Glancy Funeral Homes, H. Brown & Son Chapel, in Warren with Rev. Bill Fisher officiating. Burial will be in Gardens of Memory at Marion. Visitation hours at the Warren chapel will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Memorials to the American Lung Association.

O. Fred Locke, 83 -- Rites Pending
O. Fred Locke, 83, a resident of Muncie, died at 8:10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, in Kosciusko Community Hospital in Warsaw. Mrs. Koby retired from RCA in Marion after many years of service. She was died May 31, 1990. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Harold (Betty) Runkle of Wolcottville; a son, Jimmy Dean Koby of Mentone; three sisters, Madelene Long and Wanda Chopson, both of Warren, and Wilma Slater of Fort Wayne; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Deceased are three brothers, three sisters and one great-grandchild. Services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Glancy Funeral Homes, H. Brown & Son Chapel, in Warren, with Pastor Charles Dye Jr. in charge. Burial will be in Masonic Cemetery at Warren. Calling times at the funeral chapel will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday. Memorials to the Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice.

Ruth D. Metcalfe, 89
A private funeral service was held for Ruth D. Metcalfe, a former resident of Marion and Bradenton, Fla., who born in Guion, Ind., Aug. 21, 1913 to Joseph Thomas and Brilla Phelps Delp. Deceased are her first husband, Frederick E. Fuller, in 1973; her second husband, Robert Metcalfe, in 1974, and also two sisters and a stepson. Surviving are a sister, Alice Cray of Warren; a stepson, Stephen Metcalfe of Winter Park, Fla.; a great-niece and a stepdaughter. A private burial service was in Spring Hill Cemetery at Warren with Rev. John Ballante officiating. Memorials to the United Methodist Memorial Home.

Cora E. Rinearson, 101
Funeral services for Cora E. Rinearson, age 101, will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday in the Applegate Chapel of the United Methodist Home at Warren. Visitation hours at the chapel will be Thursday from 12 noon until time for services. Mrs. Rinearson born in Indiana Oct. 28, 1901 to David and Margaret Jamie Grim Murphy, and had worked at Art Chemical Clay Factory in Huntington. She was a member of the Mt. Etna United Methodist Church, where she was active in the Christian Woman’s Society, and belonged to the Mt. Etna Order of Eastern Star prior to transferring to its lodge at Huntington. Surviving are two granddaughters, Mrs. Merrill (Elaine) House of Fort Wayne and Mrs. Tony (Janice) House of Baltimore, Ohio; a grandson, Michael D. Lee of Bippus; a daughter-in-law, Madelin Lee of Huntington; five great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Deceased are her first husband, Wilbur Lee; her second husband, Verlin Rinearson; a son, E. Dale Lee; a daughter, Vivian DeHaven; a brother; a sister; and a son-in-law. Rev. Tom DeFries will officiate at services Thursday and burial will be in Mt. Etna Cemetery. Memorials to Mt. Etna United Methodist Church or to United Methodist Memorial Home. Glancy Funeral Homes, H. Brown & Son Chapel, in Warren, is in charge of arrangements.

Ruth Ann Martz Hoover, 92 -- Rites Pending
Ruth Ann Martz Hoover, 92, formerly of rural Ossian, died at 2:30 a.m. today, April 9, at Christian Care Retirement Community, where she had resided since March. Mrs. Brinneman was employed in contract leasing by the U.S. Air Force at the Wright-Patterson base for 28 years, retiring in 1976. She was a graduate of Bluffton High School and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Bluffton. She was died July 19, 1966. She had resided since 1989 at 1581 Williams Wells Circle in Bluffton prior to moving into Christian Care. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Regina Brinneman, of Charlotte, N.C.; three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and a special caregiver, Carolyn Graham of Bluffton. A sister, a brother and a granddaughter are deceased. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Bluffton and interment will be in Fairview Cemetery. Rev. Gary Lewis will officiate. Memorials to the church or to Family Hospice of Northeast Indiana. Arrangements are by Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home in Bluffton.

Hazel D. Lewton, 95
A retired bank employee, Hazel D. Lewton, 95, of Bluffton, born in Wells County Feb. 7, 1908, a daughter of Oscar Ralph and Dessie Nelson Hunt. Her marriage on Jan. 30, 1937 was to Lewis Lewton, who died in infancy. Services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur with Dr. Patrick Harris officiating. Burial will be in Decatur Cemetery. Visitation hours at the funeral home will be Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday for one hour prior to services.

Ruth Ann Martz Hoover, 92
A former resident of rural Ossian, and a school teacher for 45 years, Ruth Ann Martz Hoover, 92, born June 7, 1910 in Monroe to Webster C. and Luetta Mae Mock Martz. Her marriage on Dec. 4, 1937 in Wells County was to Ralph N. Hoover, who died at 1:07 a.m. today, April 10, at Hickory Creek Nursing Home in Huntington, where he had resided since August 2002. In addition to his farming career, Mr. Beer worked from 1963 to 1968 at Hoosier Grain, for 15 years with Kauffman & Sons Construction Co. in Bluffton and as a custodian for five years at the Wells County Courthouse in Bluffton. Although a native of Adams County, Mr. Beer had resided in Wells County since 1951. He was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Vera Cruz since 1952, serving as a trustee, deacon and elder. He was an avid fan of Indiana University sports and of the Cincinnati Reds baseball club. He had attended French Township School in Adams County. He was died Feb. 18, 2000. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. George (Marlene) Schlagenhauf and Mrs. Gene (Elaine) Stoppenhagen, both of Bluffton, and Mrs. Burtis (Janet) Moses of Frisco, Texas; a son, Ivan L. Beer of Bluffton; a sister, Mary Ann Stetler of Celina, Ohio; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. A sister and two brothers are deceased. Services at Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home in Bluffton will be at 10 a.m. Monday with Rev. Rick Pulling officiating. Burial will be in Six Mile Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Sunday from 12 noon to 8 p.m. Memorials to the St. John’s United Church of Christ.

Berniece ‘Bea’ Gray, 88
Berniece “Bea” Gray, 88, of Decatur, born in Tipton Dec. 31, 1914 to John E. and Lula M. Bogue Fennell. Her marriage in Tipton on Oct. 22, 1932 was to Denver “Jack” Gray, who Cemetery at Sharpsville. Visitation hours at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur will be Friday from 2 to 8 p.m. and Saturday for one hour prior to services. Memorials to the church.

Nile R. Harter, 73
Funeral services for Nile R. Harter, 73, of Hartford City will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Glancy Funeral Homes, Walker Chapel, in Montpelier. Visitation hours will be at the funeral chapel Friday from 2 to 8 p.m. Mr. Harter born in Blackford County June 15, 1929, a son of Howard G. and Leona F. Hartley Harter. His marriage on Aug. 12, 1977 at Green Cove Springs, Fla., was to Myrtle C. Justice, who survives. Additional survivors are three sons, Danny J. Plank of Jasper, Fla., and Robert A. and Dale L. Plank, both of Green Cove Springs; eight daughters, Sharon K. Philabaum of Marion, Norma K. Swygart of Jonesboro, Joetta Bosworth of Bluffton, Janine Meyers of Athens, Ga., Mrs. David L. (Linda) Bardsley of Jacksonville, Fla., Mrs. Lex (Judy) Duncan of Madisonville, Texas, Mrs. Jeff (Shirley) Dollar of Dunkirk, and Nilela J. Stouder of Deltona, Fla. Also, a brother, Larry Harter of Hartford City; five sisters, Jane Hart of Hartford City, Linda Harter of Gas City, Martelle Heffelfinger of Poneto, Phyllis Ketring of Decatur, and Janet Rush of Bluffton; several grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. Three brothers are deceased. Rev. Dewey Zent will officiate at services and burial will be in Brookside Memorial Park in Montpelier, where American Legion Post 156 will conduct military graveside rites.

Della M. Hefner, 82 -- Rites Pending
Della M. Hefner, 82, of Huntington, died at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, at his rural Huntington residence. Mr. Lyons, in addition to farming, served as trustee in Rock Creek Township in Huntington County and also as a member of its advisory board. He was a former school bus driver and had worked for Caswell-Runion in Huntington. He was a 1929 graduate of Rock Creek Township High School and a member of the Buckeye Christian Church. He was Cemetery at Huntington. Memorials to Family Hospice of Northeast Indiana.

April 4, 2003

Mary Ellen Tewksbury, 80
A graveside service only for Mary Ellen Tewksbury, 80, will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, at Historic Woodlawn Cemetery at Montpelier. Miss Tewksbury born at Montpelier, Ind., May 12, 1922, a daughter of David Murl and Elsie I. Boyll Tewksbury. Surviving are a brother, Robert M. of Quincy, Calif.; five nieces and nephews; and eight great-nieces and great-nephews. A brother is deceased. Glancy Funeral Homes--Walker Chapel, at Montpelier, is in charge of arrangements and Father Bob Moran will preside at the service.

Donna A. Bell, 80
Donna A. Bell, 80, a retired teacher and graduate of Ossian High School, born in Sidney June 24, 1922, a daughter of Owen and Lela Paulus Moore. Her father in the 1930s was principal of Ossian High School. Her marriage on June 21, 1942 was to Wilbur K. Bell, who survives. Additional survivors are two daughters, Ginger Bell-Koehlinger of Monroeville and Peggy Bell-Robison of Fort Wayne; and three grandchildren. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel in Warsaw, where calling hours are today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Covington Memorial Gardens in Fort Wayne. Memorials to Hospice/Home Health Care of Kosciusko County, 902 Provident Dr., Warsaw, IN 46580.

Harriett M. Osborne, 83
Harriett M. Osborne, 83, of Ossian, died at 4:45 p.m. Thursday, April 3 at Parkview Memorial Hospital in Fort Wayne. Cause of death was from complications after a fall Wednesday, April 2, at his residence at 3709 East, 550 South, Bluffton. Mr. Dunahoo was retired from Panhandle Eastern after serving 32 years as a warehouseman. He retired in 1984. Born March 12, 1926, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Roy and Ella Kern Dunahoo, he had resided in Wells County since 1952. He had previously lived in Iowa, where he completed one year of schooling at Iowa State University. He attended First United Church of Christ and was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of American Legion Post 111. His marriage on Jan. 14, 1961 in Bluffton was to the former Betty Langel, who survives. Also surviving is a sister, Mrs. Don (Mary Patricia) Reynolds of Rockaway Beach, Mo. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home, with Rev. Neil Wilson officiating. Burial will be in Elm Grove Cemetery with military graveside rites by Bluffton American Legion Post 111. Calling at the funeral home will be Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Monday for one hour prior to services. Preferred memorials to First United Church of Christ.

April 7, 2003

Mona G. Del Priore, 75
A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. today for Mona G. Del Priore, 75, a native of Bluffton, who Cemetery at Rockford, Wells County, was led by Rev. Neil Wilson. There were no calling hours. Mrs. Del Priore, a resident of Fort Wayne, was a retired auditor from RGIS Inventory and was a homemaker. She was died Sept. 20, 1999. She had resided in Wells and Allen counties all her life. Surviving are the son, Donald A. Jr., of Fort Wayne; a sister, Norma Holmes of Wabash; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Two brothers and a sister are deceased. Memorials to Village of Heritage in Monroeville. Arrangements were in charge of Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home in Bluffton.

Cora E. Rinearson -- Rites Pending
Cora E. Rinearson died at 7:55 p.m. Thursday, April 3, at Blackford Community Hospital in Hartford City following an extended illness. Mrs. Cain retired after 15 years of service as a nurse’s aide at Blackford County Hospital. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. A graduate in 1927 from Roll High School, she formerly resided in rural Hartford City and moved into Miller’s Merry Manor in September 2002. She was died June 26, 1987. Surviving are a son, Charles D. “Curly” Cain of Hartford City; a special niece, Suzie Kline of Hartford City; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A son, Lloyd N., three brothers, a sister and a great-grandchild are deceased. Services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Keplinger Funeral Home in Hartford City with a grandson, Ted L. Cain, officiating. Burial will be in Hartford City Cemetery. Visitation hours at the funeral home are today from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday from 8 a.m. until time for services. Memorials to Hartford City Cemetery or to Trinity United Methodist Church.

Lola L. Stepp, 93
Lola L. Stepp, 93, of rural Keystone, Nottingham Township, born in Blackford County Jan. 3, 1910, a daughter of Claude and Mary Ellen Keplinger Swindler. Her marriage at Montpelier on April 30, 1927 was to John E. Stepp, who born in Bluffton, born in Wells County April 4, 1974 to Gary J. “Butch” and Susan D. Nutter Herring. His father resides at Converse, Ind., and his mother at Ridgeville, Ind. Surviving also are the paternal grandfather, James Herring of Ruskin, Fla.; the maternal grandparents, Victor and Leone Nutter of Portland; the paternal great-grandmother, Hope Colbert of Keystone; a stepbrother, Adam Mundy of Kokomo; a stepsister, Amy Mundy of Greentown; and a nephew. A brother, Todd Ryan Herring, Cemetery at Van Buren. Calling hours at the funeral chapel will be Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. Memorials to the family.

Joy M. Platt, 74
Joy M. Platt, 74, born in Allen County Aug. 24, 1928. Her husband, Robert R., died at 8:10 p.m. Sunday, April 6, at Parkview Huntington Hospital. Mr. Wetters owned and operated Wetters Sales and Service from 1943 to 1973. He was a 1930 graduate of Union Township, Huntington County, High School and 1938 graduate of Fort Wayne Vocational Trade School. He was a member of Central Christian Church, Exchange Club, Huntington County Cancer Society and charter member of the Huntington Jaycees. He was died Dec. 24, 1984. Surviving are a son, Garl D. of Warsaw; three sisters, Mrs. Jack (Inez) Kannapel of Huntington, Mrs. Vera Robinson of Florida and Mrs. Doris Wetters of Old Mission, Mich.; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. A daughter, Neila M. Murray, two brothers and three sisters are deceased. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Myers Funeral Home Huntington Chapel with Dr. Sam Young officiating. Interment will be in Star of Hope Cemetery at Huntington. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Memorials to Central Christian Church.

Audrey Wood, 75
A former owner with her husband of a dry cleaning business in Bluffton, Audrey Wood, 75, of rural Uniondale, died June 2, 1982, lived in Bluffton for many years. She moved to Albuquerque, N.M., for 19 years and then had lived in Bluffton for the last three years. She was a former member of the New Hope Lutheran Church at Ossian. She was died at 6:55 p.m. Friday, April 4, at her residence. Mrs. Smith worked at Murphy’s Five & Dime and at Decatur Industries, both in Decatur and at CTS in Berne, retiring in the mid-1970s. She was a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Decatur and its Mary Circle, served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and at the Decatur Public Library and was an avid bowler. She was born in Adams County April 2, 1914 to Amos Z. and Mary V. Sheets Smith. Her marriage on May 30, 1936 was to Lawrence R. “Pete” Smith, who survives. Other survivors are four daughters, Mrs. Charles (Lorna) Fitzgerald of Parrish, Fla., Mrs. Barney (Betty) Brooks of Estero, Fla., Mrs. Donald (Dorothy) Poling of Decatur and Mrs. Dan (Donna) Lasseter of Atlanta, Ga.; a brother, Roy Smith of Evansville; a sister, Ruth Johns of Van Wert, Ohio; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Six brothers, three sisters and a grandson are deceased. Services at 11 a.m. Wednesday will be at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church with Rev. Fuhrman Miller and Rev. Jeff Taylor officiating. Burial will be in Decatur Cemetery. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Haggard & Sefton Funeral Home in Decatur and at the church Wednesday for one hour prior to services. Memorials to Family Hospice of Northeast Indiana or to the church.